Pacific Southwest Railway Museum

Location: La Mesa (13 Miles / 20 Minutes East of Downtown San Diego)

Hours: 1PM – 4PM on Saturdays

Cost: Free

Features: 1915 Train Depot; Steam Locomotive and Freight Cars

Pacific Southwest Railway Museum Highlights: Train service first arrived in La Mesa in 1889. The La Mesa Depot was built in 1894 and then expanded in 1915. The train depot was restored to its 1915 heritage by the Pacific Southwest Railway Association. It is a small museum but provides train enthusiasts and other visitors an easy way to glimpse into the history of trains, which dramatically expanded the ability to move people and equipment across the country to settle and develop the West Coast. Inside the Museum, you will see an antique telegraph operation and a small exhibit area. Outside the Museum, you will get to check out a 1923 Steam Locomotive, known as the Mojave Northern, as well as a number of freight cars. For those who want to learn more about the history of trains in San Diego and take rides on historic trains, you can drive farther east to the more remote San Diego Railroad Museum. It is also maintained by the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum Association.

Nearby: The Village of La Mesa, along La Mesa Boulevard near Spring Street, is a very walkable area full of shops and restaurants. You can visit one of the restaurants after your visit. Here is a merchant map of La Mesa. You may also want to visit Mount Helix for its fabulous views over San Diego County.

Information on Visiting the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum

Admission / La Mesa Depot: (Costs are Approximate)

Parking is Free
Entrance is Free

Directions from Google Maps to 4695 Nebo Drive in La Mesa, CA 91941.

Traffic – Weekend travel to La Mesa is relatively easy. The main street through La Mesa, La Mesa Boulevard, is just one block away from the Museum.

Transit – The Orange Trolley Line takes you to the La Mesa Trolley Station, which is just over a block away from the Museum. (See San Diego Transit Information for access to the Trolley Maps and the online Transit Planner.)